Job Description

Applications are invited for the post of Consultant in Spinal Surgery as part of the Spines Surgical Team within Cardiff and Vale University Health Board.
University Hospital of Wales is the first Major Trauma Centre to launch within Wales. The Major Trauma Centre is part of an inclusive and collaborative South West and Mid Wales Network spanning six Health Board areas. This post has been created due to the expansion of the department to cope with increasing demand, predominantly in degenerative adult spinal pathology and major trauma. At the present time the role will not include paediatric deformity but there is the potential for the development of this in the future. The successful candidate will be expected to have competencies in the independent operative management of patients with complex spine trauma, adult degenerative spinal surgery (cervical and lumbar), metastatic spinal cord compression, spinal infections and cauda equina syndrome.
Applicants must ensure they provide names and contact details of referees covering at least the last 3 years of their employment/training history in full. In addition, applicants who are currently or have most recently been employed as a substantive Consultant or as a Locum Consultant in post for more than 12 months must also provide the name of their Medical Director as an additional referee.
Main duties of the job
The successful candidate will participate in a 1 in 6 week on-call rota to cover all Spinal Surgery emergencies and referrals. This is a non-resident rota and includes weekdays and weekend cover. No elective work takes place during this week. The on-call week is supported by 2 spinal fellows 0800-2000 weekdays, 1 spinal fellow 0800-2000 at the weekend and the Orthopaedic Registrar on call overnight (2000-0800).
The successful candidate will occupy an integral position within the Spinal Surgical Team. Suitable candidates should be on the Specialist Register and must have obtained the FRCS (Tr&Ortho / Neurosurg) or equivalent and have recognised advanced experience in Spinal Surgery and have a track record lending credibility to a career dedicated to Spinal Surgery, including specialist fellowship experience.
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board is recognised as a teaching centre of excellence in a wide range of clinical services.
Although this post is full-time, consideration will be given to applicants who require flexible working arrangements.
Applicants should either be on the Specialist Register or be a Specialist Registrar within six months of their expected date of receipt of a CCT at the time of interview.
You will be able to take advantage of the excellent Consultant contract for Wales. The basic salary range for this post is 110,240 per annum to 160,951 per annum.
About us
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board is one of the largest Integrated Health Boards in the UK, employing over 15,000 staff, providing over 100 specialist services. Working across 6 hospital sites, we have a diverse range of career opportunities to offer. Serving around 500,000 people living in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan, we are focussed on the health and care needs of our local population whilst working with our partners to develop regional services.
Our mission is"Living Well, Caring Well, Working Together" and ourvision is that every person's chance of leading a healthy life should be equal. As an organisation we are unashamedly ambitious for our population's health, rising to the challenges of today and tomorrow through our 10-year strategy, Shaping our Future Wellbeing. We are contributing to a healthier Wales with great emphasis placed on innovation and improvement, learning from around the world and leading the way in clinical research. Partnership working is strong at Cardiff and Vale, and we work closely with our staff and our community.
Cardiff, the thriving Welsh capital, is a fantastic city to live and work in with an abundance of sports, arts and cultural attractions. Situated to the west of Cardiff, the Vale of Glamorgan offers a combination of beautiful Welsh countryside and a dramatic natural coastline. Whether city life or rural living, Cardiffand the Vale offers the best of both worlds.
Details
Date posted
29 December 2025
Pay scheme
Hospital medical and dental staff
Grade
Consultant
Salary
110,240 to 160,951 a year per annum
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
001-MP216.25
Job locations
University Hospital of Wales
Heath Park
Cardiff
CF14 4XW
Job description
Job responsibilities
You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents for this post. Job description
Job responsibilities
You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents for this post.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• On GMC Specialist Register for specialty / Specialty Registrar with CCT due within 6 months of interview date (note that Portfolio Pathway applicants must be on the Specialist Register at the point of application)
• Recognised Advanced Fellowship in Spinal Surgery
• ATLS or APLS provider status

Desirable

• Relevant higher degree e.g. MD, PhD, MSc in Trauma

Experience
Essential

• Broad training and experience in Spinal Surgery
• Demonstrable experience in the operative management of complex spine trauma, adult degenerative spinal surgery (cervical and lumbar), metastatic spinal cord compression, spinal infections and cauda equina syndrome
• Completion of recognised Spinal Surgery fellowship

Desirable

• Evidence of independent practice
• Experience of Major Trauma Centre working

Skills
Essential

• Evidence of effective team and multidisciplinary working
• Effective and demonstrable communication skills
• Evidence of CPD

Clinical Governance
Essential

• Evidence of participation in clinical audit and understanding role of audit in improving medical practice
• Comprehension of core philosophy and building blocks of clinical governance
• Evidence of proactive engagement with appraisal and revalidation (or equivalent)

Research
Essential

• Evidence of active research interests

Education and Training
Essential

• Interest in education and training of resident doctors and medical students

Management
Essential

• Evidence of effective leadership skills

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• On GMC Specialist Register for specialty / Specialty Registrar with CCT due within 6 months of interview date (note that Portfolio Pathway applicants must be on the Specialist Register at the point of application)
• Recognised Advanced Fellowship in Spinal Surgery
• ATLS or APLS provider status

Desirable

• Relevant higher degree e.g. MD, PhD, MSc in Trauma

Experience
Essential

• Broad training and experience in Spinal Surgery
• Demonstrable experience in the operative management of complex spine trauma, adult degenerative spinal surgery (cervical and lumbar), metastatic spinal cord compression, spinal infections and cauda equina syndrome
• Completion of recognised Spinal Surgery fellowship

Desirable

• Evidence of independent practice
• Experience of Major Trauma Centre working

Skills
Essential

• Evidence of effective team and multidisciplinary working
• Effective and demonstrable communication skills
• Evidence of CPD

Clinical Governance
Essential

• Evidence of participation in clinical audit and understanding role of audit in improving medical practice
• Comprehension of core philosophy and building blocks of clinical governance
• Evidence of proactive engagement with appraisal and revalidation (or equivalent)

Research
Essential

• Evidence of active research interests

Education and Training
Essential

• Interest in education and training of resident doctors and medical students

Management
Essential

• Evidence of effective leadership skills

Skills Required